about to phrase3 •Indicates something that will happen very soon; indicates action that is imminent; ready to; went toHe's standing at the edge, and I think he's about to jump.She seemed about to say something. •(informal) Indicates that one has no intention of doing the stated thing at any time in the future.I'm not about to let the lockdown stop me from going to the beach every day.I'm not about to wander around at night to find it. •(no longer used) Indicates that one is preparing or planning to do the stated thing at some time in the future, not necessarily imminently.
